iiuapum  of  Natural  f  tatnnj 

L.I1IRAUY 

fflljfranii 


FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM 

PUBLICATION   17. 
Ornithological  Series.  Vol.  i,  No.  2. 


CATALOGUE  OF  A  COLLECTION 

OF  BIRDS  OBTAINED  BYTHE 

EXPEDITION  INTO 

SOMALI-LAND. 


BY 


D.  G.  ELLIOT,  F.  R.  S.  E. 


C.  B.  CORY, 

Curator  of  Department. 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

February,    1897. 


CATALOGUE  OF  A  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS  OBTAINED  BY  THE 
RECENT  EXPEDITION  INTO  SOMALI-LAND,  AUTHORIZED 
AND  EQUIPPED  BY  THE  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM, 
WITH  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  NEW  SPECIES.  BY  D.  G.  ELLIOT, 
F.  R.  S.  E.  

The  following  species  were  obtained  during  the  travels  of  myself 
and  party  throughout  Somali-land  into  Ogaden.  The  main  object  of  the 
expedition  was  to  procure  specimens  of  the  mammals  inhabiting  the 
country,  and  I  could  give  but  little  attention  to  the  birds,  much  to  my 
regret,  but  I  endeavored  to  obtain  as  many  species  as  possible  without 
attempting  to  gather  a  series  of  any  one.  This  will  account  for  the 
small  number  of  specimens  belonging  to  any  one  species.  It  was  not 
that  they  were  difficult  to  collect,  for  I  never  was  in  a  land  where 
birds  were  more  numerous  and  tame,  and  an  expedition  properly 
equipped  for  bird  collecting,  could  procure  a  very  large  series  of 
specimens  in  a  comparatively  short  time.  In  accordance  with  the 
custom  prevailing  in  the  Field  Columbian  Museum,  this  collection 
should  have  been  handed  over  to  the  Department  of  Ornithology,  but 
Professor  C.  B.  Cory,  the  Curator,  is  at  present  absent  in  Florida, 
and  has  requested  me  to  determine  the  species,  and  publish  the  list. 
In  order  to  facilitate  comparison  of  the  lists,  I  have  followed  in  this 
one  the  arrangement  adopted  by  Dr.  Sharpe  in  his  catalogue  of  the 
birds  obtained  by  Dr.  Donaldson  Smith  in  his  journey  to  Lake 
Rudolph.  I  am  indebted  to  my  friend,  Dr.  Sharpe,  for  the  privilege 
of  access  to  the  British  Museum  collection,  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
paring the  following  species  with  the  specimens  in  the  great  series  of 
that  institution: 

ORDER  PASSERES. 

FAM.   CORVID.E. 
i.     Corvus  edithae. 

Corvus  edithae,  Lort  Phillips,  Bull.  Ornith.  Club,  iv,  p.  xxxvi. 
-Id.,  Ibis,  p.  383  (1895). 
$    Laferug. 
9    Higlileh,  Ogaden. 
This  small  crow  was  seen  at  various  places  during  the  trip, 

such  as  Deregodleh,  Laferug,  Higlileh  in  Ogaden,  etc.     It  was 

29 


30  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.   i. 

at  once  recognizable,  even  if  not  in  sight,  by  its  entirely  different 
caw,  quite  unlike  that  uttered  by  the  other  crows,  and  when 
flying,  the  tail  extending  far  beyond  the  secondaries,  made  the 
bird  quite  conspicuous,  when  in  company  with  individuals  of  the 
following  species. 

2.  Rhinocorax  affinis. 

Corvus    affinis.      Riipp.     Neue    Wirb.,   p.    20,  Taf.    10,   fig.    2. 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  46  (1877). 
$  $  9    Berbera. 

This  crow  was  very  plentiful  in  many  parts  of  Cuban  and  Ogo 
as  well  as  in  Ogaden,  and  could  always  be  recognized  when  on 
the  wing  by  its  long  secondaries,  which  extended  over  two-thirds 
the  length  of  the  tail.  It  was  common  at  Berbera,  and  the  spe- 
cies was  represented  in  about  every  place  in  which  any  crows 
were  seen.  It  was  quite  tame  like  most  birds  in  Somali-land, 
and  there  was  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  specimens.  One  pecu- 
liarity of  this  species  and  of  the  preceding,  and  one  I  do  not 
remember  to  have  noticed  among  other  crows,  was  its  habit  of 
soaring.  A  number  would  rise  in  the  air,  generally  in  the  middle 
of  the  day  when  the  heat  was  excessive,  and  ascend  in  more  or 
less  extensive  circles,  until  they  became  mere  specks  in  the  sky 
or  disappeared  altogether.  Often  during  this  performance  they 
would  join,  or  be  joined  by,  vultures,  eagles  or  hawks,  and  then 
the  entire  company  would  sail  along,  circling  as  they  went,  the 
crows  cutting  across  the  paths  of  their  large  companions  in  utter 
disregard  of  their  movements,  or  without  apparent  fear  of  a  colli- 
sion. While  thus  soaring  I  never  noticed  any  movement  of  the 
wings,  the  birds  propelling  themselves  onward  and  upward  in 
the  same  mysterious  manner  as  is  observed  of  the  birds  of  prey 
when  similarly  engaged. 

FAM.  STURNIM:. 

3.  Dilophus  carunculatus. 

Gracula  carunculata.      Gm.    Syst.   Nat.,  Vol.  I,   p.  399  (1788). 

Dilophus  carunculatus.  Heugl.  Orn.,  N.  O.,  Afr.,  Vol.  I, 
p.  529.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  61  (1890). 

$  $    Toyo  Plain. 

This  curious  starling  was  only  seen  twice,  at  our  camp  at 
Gelalo  in  the  middle  of  Toyo. Plain,  and  again,  a  flock  of  them,  on 
the  southern  edge  of  the  Haud.  They  were  rather  shy  and 
approached  our  camp  in  order  to  drink  at  the  rain  pools  which 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  31 

happened  to  be  there.  In  the  small  flock  that  appeared  at  Gelalo 
there  was  one  female,  recognized  by  the  absence  of  wattles,  but 
we  were  not  able  to  secure  her.  The  individuals  busied  them- 
selves upon  the  ground  apparently  searching  for  seeds  and 
insects,  probably  chiefly  the  latter,  and  on  being  approached, 
flew  rapidly  for  a  short  distance  and  alighted  on  the  ground,  or 
in  one  of  the  thorn  trees  near  our  tents.  The  wattles  were  very 
conspicuous  at  all  times,  the  two  pendant  from  the  throat  flap- 
ping about  as  the  birds  moved  their  heads,  while  the  two  on  top 

of  the  crown  stood  upright. 

\ 

FAM.    EULABETID.E. 

4.  Cosmopsarus  regius. 

Cosmopsarus  regius       Shelley,  Ibis,  p.  411  (1885). 

$  9    Adadleh. 

$    juv.   The  Haud. 

9  9    Dagahbur. 

This  beautiful  creature  known  to  us  as  the  Satin  Bird,  was  not 
uncommon  at  various  localities  in  both  Cuban,  near  the  Golis 
range,  and  in  Ogo.  I  first  met  with  it  in  the  forest  at  Mandera, 
and  it  became  more  plentiful  as  we  proceeded  south  of  the  moun- 
tains. It  was  always  a  most  conspicuous  object  among  the 
trees,  its  brilliant  plumage  flashing  in  the  rays  of  the  sun.  One 
peculiar  effect  I  often  noticed  was  that  when  flying  the  rich  yellow 
underparts  appeared  red,  and  I  would  think  I  had  a  second  spe- 
cies until  I  took  the  specimen  in  my  hand.  I  never  could  account 
for  this  optical  illusion,  for  although  specimens  vary  greatly  in 
the  depth  of  the  coloring  on  breast  and  lower  parts  generally, 
there  is  certainly  no  red  anywhere  on  the  bird's  plumage,  the 
nearest  approach  to  it  being  the  metallic  purple  hue  beneath  the 
throat.  The  species  was  wilder  than  most  of  the  birds  met  with, 
and  it  was  not  always  easy  to  approach  very  near.  When  flying 
it  was  a  graceful  object  as  it  floated  in  the  air  with  the  long  tail 
spread  out  to  its  fullest  extent,  and  contrasting  strongly  in  the 
brilliant  sunlight  in  its  pale  bronze  hue  with  the  metallic  blues 
and  greens  of  the  wings  and  back.  Altogether  it  is  probably  the 
most  beautiful  bird  as  yet  known  to  inhabit  Somali-land. 

5.  Amydrus  blythii. 

Amydrus  blythii.      Hartl. ,  Jour.  f.  Orn.,  p.  32(1859).      Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  164  (1890). 
9    Jerato  Pass.      Golis  Range. 


32  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

I  only  met  with  this  species  once,  at  the  Jerato  Pass,  going  up 
from  Tug  Mandera  to  the  top  of  the  range.  It  goes  in  flocks  of 
a  dozen  or  more  individuals,  and  usually  keeps  high  upon  the 
mountain  side,  and  is  very  wary  and  difficult  to  approach.  When 
flying  the  chestnut  color  on  the  wings  is  displayed  to  great 
advantage,  and  the  birds  are  most  attractive  objects.  I  think  it 
is  a  r'are  species  and  very  local  in  its  habitat.  It  usually  fre- 
quents the  tops  of  the  highest  trees,  and  the  few  times  I  saw  the 
birds  on  bushes  near  the  ground  I  only  had  a  rifle  with  me,  and 
so  could  not  procure  any  specimens. 

6.  Heteropsar  albicapillus. 

Spreo  albicapillus.  Blyth,  Jour.  Asiat.  Soc.  Beng.,  Vol.  XXIV, 
p.  301  (1855). 

Heteropsar  albicapillus.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XXXI,  p.  1  86  (1890). 

$  $    Toyo  Plain. 

Not  uncommon,  very  frequently  staying  about  the  camp,  quite 
tame  and  unsuspicious. 

7.  Spreo  shelleyi. 

Spreo  shelleyi.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  190 
(1890). 

$  $    The  Haud. 

Only  seen  on  the  high  plateau,  and  apparently  nowhere  very 
abundant.  I  don't  remember  ever  seeing  it  loitering  in  and 
about  the  camp,  as  is  the  habit  of  the  succeeding  species,  and,  so 
far  as  I  have  observed,  it  goes  only  in  small  flocks. 

8.  Spreo  superbus. 

Notauges  superbus.      Riipp,  Syst.  Uebers,  pp.  65,  75;  Taf.  26 


Spreo  superbus.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XII,  p.  189 
(1890). 

$    Laferug. 

This  beautiful  bird,  resplendent  in  its  metallic  coloring,  was 
one  of  the  commonest  species,  especially  on  the  high  plateau. 
It  frequently  goes  in  flocks  of  considerable  size,  has  a  short 
pleasant  song,  and  was  a  most  familiar  visitor  to  the  camp,  com- 
ing about  the  tents  quite  fearlessly  seeking  for  food.  It  has  such 
a  lovely  plumage  and  pretty  ways  that  it  was  always  welcome,  its 
white  eyes  gazing  up  at  you  from  out  the  black  feathers  of  the 
head,  with  a  very  peculiar  effect. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  33 

FAM.   BUPHAGID^:. 

9.     Buphaga  erythrorhynchus. 

Buphaga  erythrorhynchus.  Stanl.  in  Salt's  Voy.  Abyss. ,  App. 
p.  59  (1814).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  196  (1890). 

$  $  9    Higlileh. 
9    Le  Gud. 

This  species  resorts  to  the  bodies  of  camels  and  cattle,  running 
all  over  them  in  the  manner  of  a  woodpecker  on  a  tree  trunk. 
They  search  for  ticks  which  infest  the  four-footed  creatures,  and 
often  pick  at  sore  places  and  keep  them  from  healing.  They 
alight  anywhere  they  take  a  fancy,  on  the  head  or  legs,  or  any 
part  of  the  body,  moving  about  with  the  greatest  facility,  their 
heads  as  often  pointing  downward  as  any  other  way.  The  camels 
do  not  seem  to  pay  much  attention  to  them,  and  I  have  frequently 
seen  one  of  these  birds  investigating  the  inside  of  an  animal's 
ear  and  pulling  at  the  insect  found  there,  the  camel  or  cow,  as 
the  case  might  be,  showing  no  objection  to  the  treatment  it  was 
receiving.  If  startled  the  flock  departs  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
returns  to  renew  operations. 

FAM.   DICRURID.E. 

xo.     Buchanga  assimilis. 

Buchanga  assimilis.       Bechst,  Lath.  Allg.  Uebers,  Vog.,  Vol. 
II,  p.  562.       Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  247  (1877). 
9    Le  Gud. 
$    Hullier. 
$    Marodijeh. 
Frequently  seen  upon  the  plateau  singly  or  in  pairs. 


FAM.   ORIOLID^E. 

ii.     Oriolus  larvatus. 

Oriolus  larvatus.  Licht,  Verz.  Doubl.,  p.  20.  Sharpe,  Cat. 
B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  217  (1890). 

$    Adadleh. 

$    juv.   Boholgashan. 

The  only  specimens  met  with  on  the  journey.  They  were  prob- 
ably migrating. 


34  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

FAM.   PLOCEID.E. 

12.  Linura  fischeri. 

Linura  fischeri.    Reichen,  Orn.  CentralbL,  p.  91  (1882).   Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  210  (1890). 
$    Hullier. 

13.  Quelea  aethiopica. 

Hyphantica  aethiopica.  Heugl.,  Orn.  N.  O.  Afr.,  Vol.  I,  pt.  2, 
p.  543  (1870). 

Quelea  aethiopica.      Salv.,  Ann.  Mus.,  Gen.   (2),  Vol.  I,  p.  193 
(1884).     Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  259  (1890). 
$  $  $  $  $    Marodijeh. 

9  9  This  weaver  bird  was  frequently  seen  in  large  flocks  on 
the  plateau.  It  would  sometimes  roost  in  great  numbers  near  the 
camp  in  some  tree  overgrown  with  vines  which  afforded  a  thick 
shelter.  At  the  place  where  our  specimens  were  collected  a  large 
number  were  shot  and  served  for  breakfast  the  next  morning,  and 
were  as  nice  a  morsel  as  is  our  own  reed  or  rice  bird,  the  much 
persecuted  Bob-o-link. 

14.  /Edemosyne  cantans. 

Loxia  cantans.     Gm.  Syst.  Nat.,  Vol.  I,  p.  859  (1788). 
Aidemosyne  cantans.      Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII, 
p.  371  (1890). 
9    Hullier. 

15.  Estrelda  rhodopyga. 

Estrelda  rhodopyga.  Sund.,  ^Efv.  K.Vet.-Akad.  Forh.  Stockh., 
p.  126  (1850).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XIII,  p.  396 
(1890). 

$  $    Hullieh. 

9  9    Hullieh. 

o?    Hullieh. 

16.  Zonogastris  melba  affinis,  subsp.  nov. 

$  $    Hersi  Barri,  Ogaden. 

This  seems  to  be  the  East  African  form  of  Z.  melba,  but  differ- 
ing from  that  species  in  having  the  under  tail  coverts  conspic- 
uously barred,  the  white  spots  on  the  breast  being  clearly 
perceptible  through  the  overlying  yellow  color,  and  the  red  of  the 
throat  and  forehead  being  deeper. 


FEB.  1897.         EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS— ELLIOT.  35 

Its  distribution  is  apparently  from  Manda  Island  or  vicinity  on 
the  coast,  through  Somali-land  as  far  as  known,  and  extending 
westward  to  Lake  Albert.  Nyanza,  wjience  a  specimen  obtained 
by  Emin  Pasha  at  Kibiro,  near  the  lake  was  received  at  the 
British  Museum  and  is  almost  identical  with  my  examples  so  far 
as  the  bars  on  the  under  tail  coverts  are  concerned,  but  the  red  of 
the  head  and  throat  is  not  so  dark,  and  the  yellow  of  the  breast  not 
so  extensive.  A  specimen  in  the  British  Museum  collection  from 
Manda  Island,  obtained  by  Jackson,  has  an  indication  of  bars  on 
the  under  tail  coverts,  while  another  from  Lamoo,  sent  by  Kirk, 
has  no  bars  whatever.  The  vicinity  of  Lamoo  then  would  seem 
to  be  the  northern  and  southern  boundary  of  the  two  forms  which 
here  meet  on  the  East  coast,  but  their  distribution  in  the  interior 
has  yet  to  be  ascertained. 

Z.  sondanensis,  Sharpe,  from  the  Soudan  to  Bogos-land,  is  inter- 
mediate between  Z.  melba  and  Z.  m.  affinis,  having  just  a  faint 
indication  of  bars  on  the  under  tail  coverts,  and  would  seem  to 
connect  the  two  forms.  The  single  specimen  from  Lado,  included 
by  Sharpe  in  his  Z.  sondanensis,  undoubtedly  belongs  to  the  pres- 
ent sub-species  and  not  to  his  new  form,  which,  therefore,  as  far 
as  known,  does  not  extend  south  of  Bogos-land. 

17.  Granatina  ianthinogastra. 

Uraeginthus  ianthinogastra.  Reichen,  Orn.  Centralbl.,  p.  114 
(1879). 

$    Le  Gud. 

$    Marodijeh. 

$    Hullier. 

$    Marodijeh. 

$    Haud. 
A  generally  distributed  species  in  Somali-land. 

18.  Hyphantornis  galbula. 

Hyphantornis  galbula.      Riipp.  Neue.  Wirb.,  p.  92,  pi.  32,  fig. 

2   (1835-40). 

$    Las  Durban. 
$  $    Cabala, 
o?    Hullier. 
Not  uncommon  in  certain  portions  of  the  plateau. 


36  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

19.  Dinemellia  dinemelli. 

Textor  dinemelli.     Riipp.   Syst.    Uebers,   pp.    72,    76,   pi.   30, 
(1845).     Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.   Vol.  XIII.,  p.  506  (1890). 
$  $    Hullier. 

A  common  species,  very  conspicuous  by  its  red  rump  and  under 
tail  coverts,  and  white  and  black  plumage.  It  goes  in  flocks  and 
is  seen  everywhere. 

FAM.  FRINGILLID,E. 

20.  Petronia  pyrgita. 

Xantholina  pyrgita.  Heugl.,  Orn.  N.  O.  Afr.,  Vol.  I,  p.  627^ 
pi.  xxi,  fig.  2. 

Petronia  pyrgita.  Sharpe  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  XII,  p.  296 
(1888). 

$  $    Hullieh. 

9  9    Hullieh. 
o?    Hullieh. 

21.  Serinus  maculicolis. 

Serinus  maculicollis.  Sharpe  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  iv,  p.  xli, 
(1895). 

$  $  Hullier. 
9  Hullier. 
o?  Hersi  Barri,  Ogaden. 

This  Finch  first  obtained  by  Dr.  Donaldson  Smith's  Expedition 
was  not  very  abundant  anywhere,  but  evidently  has  considerable 
of  a  distribution,  as  the  two  places  named  above  where  I  obtained 
it  were  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  apart.  It  is  appar- 
ently a  very  good  species. 

22.  Emberiza  poliopleura. 

Fringillaria  poliopleura.     Salv.,  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Genov.  (2)  VI,. 
p.  269  (1888). 
$    Hullier. 
$    Haud. 

Not  a  very  uncommon  bunting,  especially  about  Hullier,  which 
is  a  short  distance  east  of  Hargeisa. 

23.  Fringillaria  septemstriata. 

Emberiza  septemstriata.      Rttpp.  Neue  Wirb. ,  Vog.  p.  86,  tab. 


FEB.  1897.         EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  37 

30,    fig.   2   (1835-40).       Sharpe,   Cat.    B.    Brit.    Mus.,   Vol.  XII, 
p.  559  (1888). 
$    Hullier. 

FAM.  ALAUDID^. 

24.  Alaudula  somalica. 

Alaudula  somalica.    Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  p.  472  (1895). 
$    Silo  Plain. 

25.  Mirafra  gilletti. 

Mirafra  gilletti.   Sharpe,  Bull.  Orn.  Club,  iv,  p.  xxix. 
$    Hullier. 

26.  Mirafra  intercedens. 

Mirafra  intercedens.    Reich.,  Ornith.  Monat,  p.  96,  1895. 

$  $    Dagahbur. 

We  only  met  with  this  species  at  Dagahbur  in  Ogaden,  about 
twenty  miles  south  of  the  Haud.  It  is  apparently  a  very  dis- 
tinct species. 

27.  Mirafra  sharpii,  sp.  nov. 

$    Silo  Plain. 

Head  rufous,  the  feathers  generally  having  a  black  spot  at  the 
tip.  Nape  and  sides  of  neck  dark  rufous,  feathers  edged  with 
pale  buff.  Back  dark  rufous  ,or  chestnut,  feathers  margined 
with  buff  and  with  a  black  subterminal  V-shaped  bar.  Rump 
similar  to  back,  upper  tail  coverts,  brownish-black  with  gray 
margins,  and  a  black  spot  near  the  tip.  Wings  have  the  inner- 
most secondaries  like  the  back,  outer  ones  rufous  for  two-thirds 
their  length,  remaining  portion  pale  brown,  and  a  black  line 
running  parallel  to  the  shaft  near  the  margin  of  outer  web;  tips 
white.  Primaries  light  chestnut  for  two-thirds  their  length,  on 
outer  quills,  pale. brown  on  remaining  part.  The  chestnut  color 
increases  in  extent  on  the  inner  primaries  until  the  innermost  is 
all  chestnut  with  a  blackish-brown  tip;  under  wing  coverts  deep 
buff;  primary  coverts  rufous.  Central  rectrices  blackish-brown, 
mottled  with  black  in  the  middle,  grading  into  rufous  towards  the 
outer  edges  of  the  webs,  which  are  margined  with  white,  and  an 
irregular  black  line  runs  along  the  web  near  its  margin.  Remain- 
der of  rectrices  blackish-brown  margined  with  white,  but  the 
outermost  rectrix  has  the  entire  outer  web  pale  buff.  Supercili- 


38  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,   VOL.  i. 

ary  stripe  pale  buff;  ear  coverts  and  cheeks  white  spotted  and 
streaked  with  black.  Throat  and  sides  of  neck  white.  Breast 
buff  streaked  and  spotted  with  brownish-black,  lower  parts, 
flanks  and  under  tail  coverts  pale  buff  inclining  to  white.  Bill 
long,  slender,  horn  color.  Tarsi  and  feet  flesh  color.  Irides 
brown.  Total  length,  skin,  6.10  inches;  wing,  4;  tail,  3.50; 
culmen,  .70;  tarsus,  1.20.  Only  one  specimen  of  this  new  form 
was  obtained  on  the  north  side  of  Silo  Plain.  Possibly  its 
nearest  relative  is  M.  africana,  Smith,  but  it  differs  greatly  from 
that  species  in  all  its  ages.  I  compared  this  specimen  with 
the  large  series  of  africana  in  the  British  Museum  Collection,  and 
from  the  adult  it  differs  in  its  white  throat,  and  the  under  parts 
buff  tinged  with  white,  these  parts  on  africana  being  deep  buff; 
while  the  coloring  of  the  upper  parts  is  in  nowise  alike.  From 
the  young  of  africana  it  differs  in  having  more  of  a  buff  tinge 
beneath,  and  differently  colored  upper  part,  which  in  africana 
juv.  is  hoary  gray,  or  dark  brown,  with  central  black  stripes. 
The  upper  tail  coverts  in  africana  juv.  are  brown  with  narrow 
black  central  stripes,  totally  different  from  those  of  the  present 
form.  The  primary  coverts  also  in  M.  sharpiiare  entirely  rufous, 
without  any  of  the  black  streaks  as  in  africana.  I  have  pleasure 
in  bestowing  upon  this  new  form  the  name  of  my  friend,  Dr.  R.  B. 
Sharpe,  LL.  D.,  of  the  British  Museum. 

28.     Galerita  pallida,  sp.  nov. 

$    Dagahbur. 

$    Hersi  Barri,  Ogaden. 

Top  of  head  pale  rufous,  each  feather  with  a  central  black 
streak.  Crest  composed  of  a  slender  bunch  of  similarly  colored 
narrow  feathers  .90  of  an  inch  long,  springing  from  the  vicinity 
of  the  occiput;  upper  parts  and  wings  dark  buff,  paler  than  the 
head,  the  feathers  with  black  centers  and  whitish  edges.  Pri- 
maries dark  brown,  buff  on  outer  edge  of  outer  web,  and  three- 
fourths  the  edge  of  inner  web,  narrowing  to  a  point  as  it  goes 
towards  the  tip.  Secondaries  blackish  brown  with  bright  buff 
margins;  under  wing  coverts  rose  color.  Upper  tail  coverts 
buff  with  black  central  streaks.  Tail  black,  margined  and  tipped 
with  bright  buff.  Ear  coverts  and  cheeks  buff,  streaked  with 
black.  Throat  white;  breast  pale  buff  thickly  spotted  with  black, 
almost  forming  a  band  below  the  throat.  Under  parts,  flanks 
and  under  tail  coverts  pale  buff  inclining  to  white  in  the  center 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  39 

of  the  abdomen.  Bill,  maxilla  horn  color,  mandible  flesh  color 
at  base,  horn  color  at  tip.  Tarsi  and  feet  flesh  color.  Total 
length,  skin,  6.40;  wing,  3.90;  tail,  2.80;  culmen,  .50;  tarsus,  .90 
inches. 

There  is  no  species  of  Galerita  known  that  is  like  this  new  form, 
perhaps  the  nearest  being  G.  malabarica,  Sonn;  but  it  differs  so 
greatly  from  that  Indian  species  as  to  make  a  comparison  of 
them  quite  unnecessary.  Its  back  is  so  light  colored  as  to  ren- 
der the  bird  somewhat  difficult  to  see  on  the  sandy  soil,  and  the 
underparts  strongly  incline  to  white.  The  crest  is  rather  long 
and  slender,  but  the  length  varies  I  imagine  among  individuals, 
as  those  of  the  two  specimens  obtained,  are  not  equal  in  this 
respect.  They  also  vary  in  the  color  of  the  upper  parts,  the 
Hersi  Barri  specimen  being  the  lighter,  which  is  surprising  as 
Dagahbur  is  a  much  more  sandy  and  open  locality. 

29.     Ammomanes  akeleyi.  sp.  nov. 

$  $    Deragodleh. 
9    Hullier. 

Front  and  top  of  head  dark  rufous  brown  forming  a  kind  of 
cap,  remaining  part  very  dark  ash-gray,  a  difficult  shade  to 
express  so  as  to  give  the  proper  idea.  Superciliary  stripe  from 
nostril  to  behind  eye,  buff.  Rump  golden  buff.  Wings  same 
color  as  the  back;  secondaries  dark  ashy  brown  margined  with 
ash-gray.  Primaries  dark  brown,  under  wings,  coverts,  and 
greater  part  of  inner  webs  of  secondaries  bright  deep  buff.  Tail 
dark  brown,  outer  web  of  outer  rectrix  pale  rufous.  Throat 
white;  entire  underparts  buff  inclining  to  white  on  center  of  abdo- 
men. Bill  yellow  ochre,  blackish  on  ridge  and  base  of  culmen. 
Irides  brown.  Feet  and  tarsus  flesh  color.  Total  length,  5; 
wing,  370;  tail,  2.60;  culmen,  .70;  tarsus,  .80  inches. 

This  lark  is  an  ally  of  A.  deserti,  but  is  somewhat  smaller  in  its 
measurements,  and  considerably  darker  in  color;  and  may  be 
regarded  as  the  Somali  coast  representative  of  the.  more  widely 
dispersed  species.  I  do  not  remember  seeing  it  beyond  Hullier 
on  the  plateau,  and  we  first  met  with  it  at  our  second  camp  from 
Berbera,  where  the  two  males  were  procured.  I  have  pleasure 
in  naming  this  species  after  Mr.  C.  E.  Akeley,  my  chief 
assistant,  and  head  of  the  Taxidermist  Department  in  the 
Museum. 


40  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

FAM.   MOTACILLID^:. 

30.  Motacilla  campestris. 

Motacilla  campestris.  Pall,  Reis. ,  Russ.,  Reichs. ,  Vol.  Ill, 
Anhang.,  p.  697  (1776).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  X, 
p.  510  (1885). 

$    Berbera. 

Shot  at  Berbera  in  company  with  the  two  succeeding  species: 

31.  Motacilla  borealis. 

Motacilla  borealis.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  X,  p.  522 
(1885). 

$    Berbera. 
Shot  out  of  a  flock  at  Berbera,  the  only  place  it  was  met  with. 

32.  Motacilla  cinereicapilla. 

Motacilla  cinereicapilla.  Savi.,  Nuovo.  Giorn.  dei  Letter,  No. 
57,  p.  190.  Id.,  Oru.  Tosc. ,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  216  (1831).  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  X,  p.  526  (1885). 

$    Berbera. 

Obtained  at  the  same  time  with  the  other  species  and  I  believe 
at  the  same  shot.  A  large  flock  of  these  birds  had  come  to  drink 
at  a  rill  escaping  from  a  cistern  close  by,  and  I  fired  at  them  and 
procured  these  three  species.  It  was  the  only  time  I  saw  them. 
The  different  species  were  all  mingled  together,  maintaining  no 
distinctive  organization  and  I  supposed  there  was  but  one, 
until  I  picked  them  up. 

33.  Anthus  sordidus. 

$  ad.  Hullier. 

Anthus  sordidus.  Riipp,  NeueWirb.  Aves,  p.  103,  pi.  39,  fig. 
i  (1835).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  X,  p.  560  (1885). 

34.  Tmetothylacus  tenellus. 

Macronyx  tenellus.  Cab.  Jour.  f.  Ornit. ,  pp.  205,  220,  pi.  2,  fig. 
i  (1878).  ' 

$  $  $  $    Hersi  Barri,  Ogaden. 
Not  uncommon  in  the  vicinity  of  this  camping  place. 

FAM.   NECTARINID^:. 

35.  Cinnyris  osiris. 

Nectarinia  osiris  Finsch.  Tr.  Zool.  Soc.,  Vol.  VII,  p.  230 
(1870). 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  41 

$  Marodijeh. 

$  $  $  Le  Gud, 

$  Hullier. 

9  Le  Gud. 

36.  Cinnyris  albiventris. 

Nectarinia  albiventris.      Strickl.,  Contr.    Orn.,  p.    42,   pi.   86 
(1852). 

$    Hersi  Barri. 

37.  Anthothreptes  orientalis. 

Anthreptes  orientalis.      Hartl,  Jour.  f.  Orn.,  p.  213(1880). 
$    Le  Gud. 
9    Hullier. 

38.  Chalcomitra  hunteri. 

Cinnyris  hunteri.    Shelley,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  365,  pi.  xli,  fig. 
2,   (1889). 
$    Hullier. 
Not  uncommon  in  this  locality. 

39.  Hedydipna  metalliea. 

Nectarinia  metalliea.     Licht.  Verz.  Doubl. ,  p.  15  (1823). 

$    Berbera. 

$    Laferug. 
This  beautiful  sun  bird  was  not  uncommon. 

FAM.  ZOSTEROPID.E. 

46.     Zosterops  poliogaster. 

Zosterops  poliogaster.      Heugl.,  Ibis,  p.  357,  pi.  13  (1861). 
$  $    Boholgashan. 
9    Boholgashan. 
We  only  saw  this  pretty  little  bird  at  this  one  locality. 

FAM.   PARID^E. 
41.     Parus  thruppi. 

Parus    thruppi.     Shelley,  Ibis,    p.   406,   pi.    xi,    fig.    2   (1885). 
James,  Unkn.  Horn.  Af. ,  p.  295,  pi.  vi,  fig.  2. 
$  $  $    Le  Gud. 
$    Hullier. 
We  met  with  this  Tit  as  soon  as  we  entered  upon  the  plateau, 


42  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

the  localities  given  being  near  the  Golis   Range,  the  last  one  a 
short  march  from  Hargeisa. 

42.  ^githalus  musculus. 

Agithalus  musculus.      Hartl,  Jour.  f.  Orn.,  p.  326  (1882). 
$    Haud.      Iris  brown. 

Seldom  seen,  but  probably  it  easily  escapes  recognition  on 
account  of  its  very  small  size. 

FAM.   LANIID.E. 

43.  Lanius  antinorii. 

Lanius  antinorii.  Salvad,  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Genov.,  Vol.  XII,  p. 
316  (1878). 

9    Bodeleh. 

This  was  the  only  specimen  taken  of  this  shrike,  although  I 
saw  many  others,  but  they  were  not  procured. 

44.  Laniarius  cruentus. 

Lanius  cruentus.  Hemp  &  Ehrenb,  Symb.  Phys. ,  Fol.  C, 
Tab.  iii. 

Dryoscopus  cruentus.  Heug).,  Orn.  N.  O.  Afr.,  Vol.  IV,  p, 
cxvi. 

Laniarius  cruentus.  Gadow. ,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  VIII, 
p.  152  (1883). 

$  $    Hullier. 

999    Hullier. 

This  beautiful  shrike  was  quite  common  on  various  parts  of 
the  elevated  plateau,  thus,  contrary  to  Heuglin's  opinion,  prov- 
ing it  to  be  a  bird  of  elevated  districts  and  not  restricted  to  the 
lowlands  and  the  coast.  It  has  a  clear  note  that  often  betrays 
its  presence,  although  its  beautiful  coloring  always  made  it  a 
conspicuous  object. 

45.  Dryoscopus  funebris. 

Dryoscopus  funebris.      Hartl,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  105   (1863). 

$    Hullier. 
9  9    Le  Gud. 

46.  Dfyoscopus  rufinuchalis. 

Dryoscopus    rufinuchalis.     Sharpe,    Proc.    Zool.  Soc.,    p.  479 

(1895). 

9    Higlileh. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  43 

This  specimen  has  the  forehead  and  forepart  of  the  crown 
black,  as  mentioned  by  Dr.  Sharpe  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Donald- 
son Smith's  examples.  Higlileh  is  just  south  of  the  Haud  in 
Ogaden,  which  must  be  some  distance  from  the  localities  given 
by  Dr.  Sharpe  for  his  specimens,  viz. :  Dahulli  and  Torboo.  I 
do  not  know  where  these  named  places  are,  but  I  know  Dr.  Smith 
was  well  on  towards  the  Shebeyleh  river,  at  the  dates  given, 
Sept.  16,  and  Nov.  25. 

47.  Telephonus  jamesi. 

Telephonus  jamesi.     Shelley,  Ibis,  p.  403,  pi.  x,  fig.  2  (1885). 
James,  Unkn.  Horn,  Af.,  p.  291,  pi.  v,  fig.  2. 
90?  Hullier. 
Iris  brown.      Legs  gray. 

48.  Nilaus  capensis  minor. 

Nilaus  minor.      Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. ,  p.  479  (1895). 

$    Laferug. 

o?  Le  Gud. 

This  race  of  N.  capensis  was  not  at  all  uncommon,  and  was 
noticed  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  country  traversed  by  us,  and 
its  black  and  white  plumage  made  it  very  conspicuous,  whether 
at  rest  upon  some  bush  or  low  tree,  or  when  flying  with  straight 
and  rapid  course  through  the  air. 

49.  Prionops  cristatus. 

Prionops  cristatus.      Sharpe,  Ibis,  p.   601  (1892). 

$  9    Haud. 
9    Higlileh. 

Iris  and  eyelids  golden  yellow.      Legs  vermilion. 

This  curious  bird  was  only  met  a  few  times  by  us,  and  then  in 
flocks  of  some  considerable  size.  It  was  apparently  veiy  rest- 
less, never  remaining  long  in  an}'  one  tree,  but  kept  flying  about 
uttering  its  shrill  note.  It  was  shy  also,  and  did  not  permit  a 
very  near  approach,  and  was  an  attractive  object,  its  black  and 
white  plumage  and  red  legs  drawing  one's  attention  quickly  to  it 
even  if  it  was  silent,  which,  however,  was  not  often  the  case. 

50.  Bradyornis  riieppelli. 

Eurocephalis   riieppelli.    Bon.    Rev.    and   Mag.    Zool.,   p.   440 
(1853).      Gadow,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  Ill,  p.  280  (1877). 
9  9    Hullier. 


44  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORN-ITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

This  fine  species  was  of  frequent  occurrence,  but  seen  usually 
singly  or  in  pairs.  Its  white  head  and  rump  contrasting  with  its 
dark  wings,  made  it  rather  a  striking  object  in  the  air. 

51.  Bradyornis  pumillus. 

Bradyornis  pumillus.    Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. ,  p.  480  (1895). 

$   Laferug. 
$  $   Hullier. 

FAM.   SYLVIID.E. 

52.  Eremomela  flavicrissalis. 

Eremomela  flavicrissalis.      Sharpe,    Proc.    Zool.    Soc.,   p.  481 

(1895)- 

9  9   Hullier. 

3   Dagahbur. 

This  little  species  was  only  observed  on  the  two  occasions  when 
it  was  captured. 

53.  Calemonastes  simplex. 

Erythropygia  simplex  (Cab.)  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.  Vol. 
VII,  p.  74  (1883). 

9   Marodijeh.     Iris  light  brown. 
This  small  bird  is  remarkable  for  its  somewhat   metallic  voice. 

54.  Sylviella  isabellina,  sp.  nov. 

o?   Le  Gud. 

Head,  entire  upper  parts  and  tail  dark  slaty  gray,  with  a  green- 
ish tinge;  rump,  buff;  throat,  whitish  buff;  flanks,  dark  buff; 
under  parts,  buffy  white;  wings,  same  color  as  back;  bill,  black; 
total  length,  skin,  about  3.40;  wing,  2. 10;  tail,  1. 10;  bill,  .50  inch. 

This  species,  which  is  apparently  new,  is  nearest  to  S. 
rufescens,  from  South  Africa,  but  instead  of  being  dark  buff 
beneath,  as  is  that  species,  it  is  almost  white,  washed  with  buff. 
The  type  was  the  only  individual  obtained. 

55.  Dryodromas  smithii. 

Dryodromas  smithii.      Sharpe,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  iv,  p.  xxix. 

$   Hullier. 

$  Dagahbur. 

This  little  species  apparently  has  quite  an  extensive  distribu- 
tion, as  the  two  localities  where  we  obtained  examples  were  about 
one  hundred  miles  apart. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  45 

56.  Cisticola  cisticola. 

Sylvia  cisticola.      Temm.  Man.  Orn.  Vol.  I,  p.  228  (1820). 
Cisticola  cisticola.     Sharpe,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  VII,  p.  259 
(1883). 

o?   Silo  Plain. 

57.  Cisticola  dodsoni. 

Cisticola  dodsoni.      Sharpe,  Bull.  B.  O.  C.  iv,  p.  xxix. 
$   Haud.      Iris  and  legs  light  brown. 

FAM.    TURDID.E. 

58.  Erythropygia  leucoptera. 

Salicaria   leucoptera.      Riipp.    Syst.    Uebers,    p.    38,   Taf.    15 

(1845). 

$  Hullier. 
999  Hullier. 

59.  Burnesia  somalica  sp.  nov. 

$  Las  Durban. 

$  Dagahbur,  Ogaden. 

Head  and  upper  parts,  ashy  brown;  greater  wing  coverts  and 
secondaries,  ashy  brown,  edged  with  white;  primaries,  ashy 
brown;  under  wing  coverts,  white;  tail,  uniform  ashy  brown 
above,  underneath  blue-gray  with  a  sub-terminal  black  bar  and 
white  tip;  lores  and  eyebrows,  white;  sides  of  face  and  under- 
parts  white,  tinged  with  buff  on  sides  of  body;  bill  black;  total 
length,  5.90  inches;  wing,  1.90;  tail,  3;  culmen,  .40;  tarsus,  .90. 

This  bird  does  not  seem  particularly  near  any  described  spe- 
cies, being  possibly  closest  to  B.  socialis,  but  there  are  too  many 
striking  differences  to  make  it  possible  to  confound  the  two. 

60.  /Edon  galactodes. 

Sylvia  galactodes.      Temm.  Man.  Orn.  Vol.  I,  p.  182  (1820). 
$   Las  Durban. 
One  specimen  only  of  this  species  procured. 

61.  Acrocephalus  phragmitis. 

Sylvia  phragmitis.      Bechst.  Orn.  Taschenb.,  p.  186  (1802). 
o?   Las  Durban. 


46  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

62.  Acrocephalus  streperus. 

Sylvia  strepera.  Veill.  Nouv.  Dist.  d'Hist.  Nat.,  Vol.  XI,  p. 
182  (1817). 

Acrocephalus  streperus.  Seebohm  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus".  Vol.  V, 
p.  102  (1881). 

o?    Las  Durban. 

63.  Hypolais  languida. 

Curruca  languida.     Hemp.  Ehrenb.  Symb.  Phys.  Aves. ,  Fol.  ee 

(1833). 

Hypolais  languida.  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  V,  p. 
80  (1881). 

$  Silo  Plain. 

The  discovery  of  this  specimen  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the 
Haud  extends  its  distribution  one  hundred  and  thirty  to  forty 
miles  farther  south,  as  Mr.  Phillips  procured  his  single  specimen 
at  Berbera,  and  Dr.  Smith  does  not  seem  to  have  obtained  it  on 
his  expedition. 

64.  Hypolais  pallida. 

Curruca  pallida.      Hemp.  Ehrenb.  Symb.  Phys,  Aves.,  Fol.  bb 

(1833)- 

Hypolais  pallida.  Seebohm,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  V,  p.  82, 
(1881). 

9  9   Berbera. 

65.  Saxicola  phillipsi. 

Saxicola  phillipsi.     Shelley,  Ibis,  p.  404,  pi.  xii  (1885).     James, 
Unkn.  Horn,  Af.,  p.  293,  pi.  vii. 
$  $    juv.  Hullier. 
o?    juv.  Hullier. 

9    ad.  Summer.      Boholgashan.      Iris  dark  brown. 
Specimens  in  immature  plumage  were  not  uncommon  at  Hul- 
lier, but  we  did  not  get  one  in  full,  adult  dress  until  we  came  to 
Boholgashan  on  our  return  journey  from  the  Haud,  and  I  believe 
the  one  obtained  was  the  only  one  seen. 

66.  Saxicola  isabellina. 

Saxicola  isabellina.      Cretzs.  Riipp. ,  Atlas,  p.  52  (1826).      See- 
bohm Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  V,  p.  399  (1881). 
9   Silo  Plain. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  47 

67.  Myrmecocichla  melanura. 

Saxicola  melanura,  Temm.  PL,  Col.  No.  257,  fig.  2  (1824). 
Myrmecocichla  melanura.      Seebohm,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus. ,  Vol. 
V,  p.  361  (1880). 

$   Berbera. 

9   Las  Durban. 

FAM.   TIMELIID.E. 

68.  Argya  aylmeri. 

Argya  aylmeri.  Shelley,  in  James,  Unknown  Horn  of  Afr. ,  p. 
293  pi.  vi,  fig.  i  (1888). 

$  $   Hullier. 
9   Hullier, 

Bill,  white;  iris,  cream  color;  bare  skin  about  eye,  bluish  white; 
legs,  light  brown. 

FAM.   PYCNONOTID^:. 

69.  Pycnonotus  dodsoni. 

Pycnonotus  dodsoni.      Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  488  (1895). 

$   Hullier. 

9   Hullier. 

9   Higlileh,   Ogaden. 

Not  an  uncommon  species  upon  the  plateau,  and  as  one  speci- 
men was  procured  by  Dr.  Smith  at  Lamoo,  it  would  seem  to  go 
to  the  coast  also,  although  I  do  not  remember  seeing  it  there.  It 
goes  in  flocks,  is  tame  and  unsuspicious,  and  I  have  often 
watched  individuals  moving  among  the  branches,  seeking  insects 
within  a  few  feet  of  me,  as  I  stood  in  the  shade. 

FAM.   MUSCICAPID^:. 

70.  Pachyprora  bella,  sp.  nov. 

$   Le  Gud.      Iris  yellow. 
$  $   Hullier.      Iris  golden  yellow. 
9   Hullier.      Iris  golden  yellow, 
o?    Haud.      Iris  golden  yellow. 

Male — Head  and  back  dark  blue  gray;  two  white  spots  on  fore- 
head; secondaries  black,  margined  with  white;  primaries  dark 
brown.  Black  stripe  from  bill,  passing  to  nape  and  including 


48  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

eye  and  sides  of  face,  but  is  prevented  from  joining  the  black 
collar  by  the  white  of  hind  neck,  which  continues  on  until  it 
joins  the  throat.  Throat  entirely  white.  A  broad,  blue-black 
band  across  the  breast;  remainder  of  under  parts  white;  tail, 
blue  black,  outermost  feather  white  on  outer  web,  which  con- 
tinues to  and  includes  the  tip,  and  edges  the  inner  web  .40  of  an 
inch  from  extreme  end.  Bill,  tarsi  and  feet,  black.  Total  length, 
4.50;  wings,  2.30;  tail,  2;  culmen,  .50;  tarsus,  .80. 

Female  resembles  the  male,  but  has  a  chestnut  band  across  the 
breast,  instead  of  a  blue-black  one. 

Two  immature  males  from  Le  Gud  and  the  Haud,  respectively, 
are  in  the  dress  of  the  female. 

This  new  species  is  nearest  to  P.  minulla  Bocage,  but  the 
male  differs  in  having  the  black  line  on  face  interrupted,  the 
white  of  hind  neck,  as  described,  joining  the  white  throat  and 
cutting  off  the  black  collar.  In  P.  minulla  there  is  no  such  inter- 
ruption; the  black  on  side  of  face  and  ear-coverts  joins  the  black 
collar  on  the  back.  The  female  differs  in  the  same  manner. 

71.  Parisoma  bohmi. 

Parisoma  bQhmi.      Reichen,    Jour.  f.   Orn.,  p.  200  (1882). 
$  $  $  $  ?  Hullier.     .Iris  cream  color. 
$  Daboya. 

72.  Tersiphone  cristata. 

Tersiphone  cristata.     Sharpe,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus. ,  Vol.  IV,  p. 

354  (i 879)- 

$  juv.  Gerenook.  Ogaden.  Eyelids,  bill,  and  legs,  bluish 
green.  Iris  brown. 

We  met  this  handsome  species  first  here.  An  adult  male  and 
one  or  two  immature  males  being  the  only  ones  seen. 

ORDER  PICIFORMES. 
FAM.   PICID.E. 

73.  Dendropicus  hemprichi. 

Picus  hemprichi.  H.  Ehrenb.  Symb.  Phys.  Aves,  fol.  r,  p.  2 
(1828). 

Dendropicus  hemprichi.  Hargitt,  Cat.  B.,  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XVIII,  p.  299  (1890). 

$  $    Hullier.      Iris  red. 
9    Dagahbur. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  49 

A  rather  rare  species,  only  met  with  a  few  times,  and  the  male 
though  seen  was  not  obtained. 

74.  Campothera  nubica. 

Picus  nubicus.      Gm.  Syst.  Nat.,  p.  439(1788). 
Campothera  nubica.      Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. ,  p.  492  (1895). 
$  $    Mullier.      Iris  red. 
9    Hullier. 

$    Laferug.  e 

A  not  uncommon  species  in  certain  parts  of  the  country,  but 
generally  wild  and  not  often  permitting  one  to  approach  it  closely, 
very  different  in  this  respect  from  the  other  feathered  inhabitants 
of  the  land. 

FAM.   CAPITONID^:. 

75.  Trachyphonus  shellyi. 

Trachyphonus  erythrocephalus  (nee  Cab.).  Shelley,  Ibis, 
p.  394  (1885),  ex  Somali  plateau.  James,  Unkn.  Horn.  Afr., 
p.  282,  pi.  ix. 

Trachyphonus  shelleyi.  Hartl.  Isis,  pp.  105,  m,  pi.  v  (1886). 
Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  493  (1895). 

$  Higlileh,  Ogaden.  Eyelids,  feet  and  legs  vermilion.  Iris 
brown. 

9    Higlileh,   Ogaden. 

This  species  was  not  obtained  until  the  Haud  was  passed 
and  we  had  entered  Ogaden.  This  or  the  succeeding  species 
was  seen  by  me  in  the  country  southeast  of  Toyo  plain  toward 
the  territory  of  the  Dolbahanti.  T.  Shelleyi  was  not  common 
anywhere,  and  was  met  with  generally  in  pairs.  It  appeared  to 
be  breeding,  and  usually  made  us  aware  of  its  presence  by  its 
loud,  shrill  voice,  sounding  almost  like  laughter.  The  attitudes 
of  the  males  when  near  the  females  were  very  curious,  and  the 
birds  both  seemed  to  be  in  a  state  of  great  excitement,  and  paid 
but  little  attention  to  any  one  near  at  hand.  Although  not  met 
with  by  me  on  the  Haud,  it  seems  to  occur  there,  as  Sharpe  states 
(1.  c.)  that  the  specimen  mentioned  by  Shelley  (1.  c.)  was  from  the 
Somali  plateau,  meaning,  I  suppose,  the  Haud. 

76.  Trachyphonus  margaritatus. 

Buceo  margaritatus.  Cretzchm.  Rtipp,  Atlas.  Vog. ,  p.  30, 
pi.  20  (1826). 


50  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

Trachyphonus    margaritatus.      Shelley,    Cat.    B.    Brit.    Mus., 
Vol.  IX,  p.  103  (1891). 
$    Robeleh. 
9    Robeleh. 

Two  specimens  of  this  species  were  obtained  at  the  above 
place  on  our  return  journey,  and  were  the  only  ones  seen  that 
could  be  identified  with  certainty.  They  were  sitting  close 
together  on  a  limb,  and  awoke  the  echoes  with  their  loud,  shrill 
*  cries,  at  the  same  time  making  the  most  absurd  contortions 
of  the  neck,  wings  and  tail,  assuming  very  grotesque  positions. 
So  busily  engaged  were  they  with  their  own  affairs,  that  they  paid 
no  attention  whatever  to  Mr.  Dodson  as  he  approached  them, 
and  both  birds  were  secured  at  one  shot.  These  specimens  dif- 
fered so  greatly  from  all  those  in  the  British  Museum  collection 
that  at  first  I  was  inclined  to  regard  them  as  representing  a  dis- 
tinct species,  but  finally  decided  the  differences  shown  would  be 
merely  incidental  to  a  phase  of  plumage.  The  two  examples  are 
black  upon  the  back,  covered  thickly  with  white  spots,  the  tail 
also  black,  with  broad  yellowish- white  bars  going  half  way  to  the 
•shaft.  The  specimens  in  the  British  Museum  had  the  feathers 
much  worn,  and  the  black  replaced  by  a  dark  brown,  and  the 
white  spots  were  much  fewer.  It  would  be  interesting  to  learn 
if  the  Somali  bird  also  turns  brown  at  any  stage  of  its  plumage, 
and  loses  the  spots  as  the  feathers  become  worn. 

76.  Barbatula  affinis. 

Barbatula  affinis.  Reichen,  Orn.  Centralb. ,  p.  114  (1879), 
Shelley,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  41. (1891). 

$  $    Hullier. 

This  little  Barbet  was  seen  occasionally  from  the  northern 
limit  of  the  Haud,  southwards.  It  was  not  common  at  any  time. 

77.  Tricholsema  stigmatothorax. 

Tricholaema   stigmatothorax,    Cab.  J.   f.   Ornith.,  pp.    205,  240 
(1878),  Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  493  (1895). 
$    Le  Gud. 

ORDER  PSITTACIFORMES. 
FAM.   PSITTACID^:. 

78.  Pceocephalus  rufiventris. 

Pionus  rufiventris.  Riipp.,  Syst.  Ueb.,  Vogel,  N.  O.  Afr. ,  pp. 
83,  94,  t.  32  (1845). 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  51 

Pceocephalus  rufiventris.  Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus. ,  Vol.  XX, 
p.  372  (1891). 

$    Le  Gud. 

$    Marodijeh. 

$    Hullier. 

$    juv.    $    juv.  Le  Gud. 
$  9    Le  Gud. 

This  pretty  parrot  was  constantly  met  with  after  we  reached 
Laferug.  It  goes  in  small  flocks,  is  very  active  and  restless, 
being  always  on  the  move,  screaming  both  when  flying  or  when 
in  the  tree  tops.  The  male  with  his  bright  red  abdomen  is  very 
conspicuous,  and  darts  in  and  out  among  the  trees  like  a  flame, 
and  is  a  very  beautiful  object,  his  bright  underparts  contrasting 
with  the  dark  green  foliage  with  fine  effect.  The  flight  is  straight 
and  very  rapid,  performed  by  quick  beatings  of  the  wings. 

FAM.   MUSOPHAGID.E. 

79.  Schizorhis  leucogaster. 

Chizcerhis  leucogaster.  Shelley,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  IX, 
p.  452  (1891).  Riipp.  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. ,  p.  9  (1842). 

$  $    juv.  Haili. 
9    Haili. 

This  species  was  a  very  familiar  object  throughout  our  journey. 
Its  large  size,  of  course,  made  it  very  conspicuous,  and  its  loud, 
harsh  note  resembling  paap,  paap,  sometimes  paw,  paw,  would 
disclose  its  presence  even  if  the  bird  itself  was  hidden  in  the 
foliage.  It  goes  singly  or  in  parties  of  three  or  four,  frequents 
the  highest  parts  of  the  thorn  trees,  and  walks  among  the 
branches,  occasionally  hopping  from  one  to  another.  It  flies 
with  easy  flappings  of  the  wings,  often  sailing  along  for  quite  a 
distance,  and  with  its  crested  head,  long  tail  and  pleasing  color- 
ing, is  one  of  the  attractive  objects  met  with  when  journeying 
through  the  land. 

ORDER  CORACIIFORMES. 
FAM.   CORACIID^:. 

80.  Coracais  lorti. 

Coracias  lorti.  Shelley  Ibis.,  p.  399  (1885).  Sharpe,  Proc. 
Zool.  Soc.,  p.  496  (1895). 


52  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

o?  ad.  Laferug. 

o?  ad.  Le  Gud. 
999    Hullier. 

This  beautiful  species  was  not  at  all  uncommon,  and  many 
specimens  could  have  been  procured  if  I  had  been  making  a 
series.  It  generally  was  seen  singly,  sometimes  in  pairs,  and 
would  frequently  sit  upon  a  limb  quietly  gazing  at  the  caravan 
as  it  passed  by.  When  flying,  the  rich  coloring  of  the  back  and 
wings  made  it  a  most  beautiful  object.  It  usually  perched  on  a 
dead  branch,  if  one  was  handy,  and  rather  high  up  on  a  tree. 

81.  Coracias  naevius. 

Coracias  naevius.      Daud.  Traite". ,  Vol.  II.,  p.  258  (1800). 
Sharpe  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVII,  p.  24  (1892). 

9    Marodijeh. 

This  handsome  roller,  while  not  so  plentiful  as  the  preceding 
species,  was  not  uncommon.  Both  birds  are  noisy  and  pug- 
nacious, fighting  almost  any  winged  creature,  even  if  much 
larger  in  size.  It  is  not  so  often  seen  perha'ps  in  the  more  open 
parts  of  the  country  as  is  C.  lorti,  but  is  very  similar  in  its  habits 
and,  I  should  imagine,  in  its  food  also.  On  the  wing  it  is  not  so 
handsome  as  its  relative. 

FAM.    ALCEDINID.E. 

82.  Halcyon  chelicutensis. 

Alcedo   chelicuti.      Stanley,    Salt's   Exp.   Abyss.,    App. ,  p.    Ivi 

(1834)- 

Halcyon  chelicutensis.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  p.  239, 
Vol.  XVII  (1892). 

$    juv.  Marodijeh. 

The  only  specimen  procured. 

FAM.   BUCEROTID^:. 

83.  Lophoceros  erythrorhynchus. 

Buceros  erythrorhynchus.  Temm.  PI.  Col.,  Vol.  II,  sp.  19 
(Text),  (1823). 

Lophoceros  erythrorhynchus.  Ogilvie-Grant,  Cat.  B.  Brit. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVII,  p.  409  (1892). 

Lophoceros  medianus.    Sharpe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. ,  p.  408  (1895). 

$    Marodijeh. 

9    Hullier. 


1.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  53 

This  Hornbill  and  the  next  species  were  very  common  every 
where  we  traveled.  It  is  a  noisy  bird,  and  without  its  voice  atten- 
tion would  be  attracted  to  it  by  the  white  and  black  hues  of  the 
plumage,  which  make  it  a  very  conspicuous  object  when  on  the 
wing.  It  flies  low,  by  repeated  flappings  and  sailings,  and  when 
about  to  alight  upon  some  tree,  lowers  its  flight  just  before  reach- 
ing its  goal,  and  then  rises  in  a  graceful  curve  to  the  desired  perch. 
I  only  brought  the  two  specimens  back,  and  I  regret  that  more 
were  not  preserved,  as  they  seem  to  throw  a  considerable  doubt 
upon  the  validity  of  L.  medianus,  Sharpe.  I  compared  my  exam- 
ples with  Sharpe's  type,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  his  bird 
was  only  a  female  of  L.  erythrorhynchus,  and  agreed  in  every 
respect  with  my  female  specimen.  Dr.  Sharpe  compared  his 
bird  with  L.  damarensis,  Shelley,  but  the  character  he  gives,  viz. : 
the  gray  of  the  crown  coming  down  almost  to  the  base  of  the 
bill,  is- one  belonging  to  L.  erythrorhynchus.  I  was  quite  unable 
to  distinguish  any  difference  between  L.  medianus  and  the  present 
species,  and  have  therefore  included  it  among  the  synonyms 
given  above. 

84.  Lophoceros  flavirostris. 

Buceros  flavirostris.  Riipp,  Faun.  Abyss.  Vogel,  p.  6,  pi.  n, 
fig  2  (1835). 

Lophoceros  flavirostris.  Ogilvie-Grant,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus. , 
Vol.  XVII,  p.  412  (1892).  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S.,  p.  499  (1895). 

$  $  Hullier.  Bill  golden  yellow.  Iris  cream  color.  Throat 
bluish-white  shading  into  blue,  then  to  a  light  purple. 

9  Hullier.  Bill  golden  yellow.  Iris  cream  color.  Throat 
black. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  the  present  one  was  met  with 
everywhere,  and  was  even  more  common  than  its  relative.  The 
habits  of  these  two  forms  did  not  appear  to  differ  in  any  way, 
and  the  flight  was  very  similar.  These  birds  are  one  of  the  char- 
acteristic features  of  the  landscape,  especially  noticeable  even  in 
a  country  which  in  many  parts  was  fairly  alive  with  feathered 
creatures. 

FAM.    UPUPID.E. 

85.  Upupa  somalensis. 

Upupa  epops  senegalensis.      (nee  Sw.);  Shelley,   Ibis,   p.    397 


54  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM —ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

Upupa  somalensis.      Salv,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol,  XVI,  p.  13, 
pi.  i  (1892). 
$    Hullier. 

o?  Haud.      Iris  brown. 

This  bird,  the  bearer  of  good  news,  according  to  native  belief, 
was  frequently  seen.  It  was  rather  shy  in  comparison  to  other 
birds,  and  in  its  flight  and  general  habits  resembled  the  common 
Hoopoo  found  in  Egypt,  India  and  Europe. 

86.  Irrisor  erythrorhynchus. 

Promerops    erythrorhynchus.       Rtipp,    Syst.    Uebers.,    p.     28 

(1845)- 

Irrisor  erythrorhynchus.  Salv,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVI, 
p.  19  (1892). 

9    Le  Gud.      Bill  carmine. 
$    Hullier. 

9999    Hullier.      Bill  orange.      Iris  black. 

This  is  a  gregarious  species  frequently  met  with,  going  in 
flocks  of  perhaps  as  many  as  a  dozen.  When  flying  from  tree 
to  tree  they  are  usually  silent,  but  chatter  vociferously  as  soon 
as  they  alight.  They  climb  about  the  branches  seeking  for  food, 
insects  chiefly  I  imagine,  and  it  appears  they  are  quite  indifferent 
whether  the  head  is  up  or  down,  or  whether  the  back  or  belly  is 
presented  to  the  sky.  They  are  very  active  and  industrious  in 
the  tree  tops,  and  assume  singular  positions  at  times  when  chat- 
tering loudly. 

87.  Rhinopomastus  minor. 

Promerops  minor.      Riipp,  Syst.  Uebers,  p.  28  (1845). 

Rhinopomastus  minor.  Salv,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVI, 
p.  26  (1892). 

$  $    Marodijeh. 

$    Hullier. 
9  9    Hullier. 

This  handsome  and  graceful  bird  is  the  noisiest  creature 
among  the  feathered  tribes  of  Somali-land.  The  volume  of 
sound  and  the  variety  of  notes  a  flock  can  produce  is  something 
extraordinary,  and  makes  one  at  times  doubtful  if  it  all  comes 
from  a  bird's  throat.  Occasionally  there  is  a  rolling  intonation 
almost  impossible  to  describe,  and  again  it  will  sound  like  a 
watchman's  rattle.  This  species  goes  in  flocks  of  from  six  to  a 
dozen  individuals,  and  the  noise  they  can  make  when  they  set 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  55 

themselves  seriously  about  it  requires  that  one  should  hear  it  to 
fully  comprehend  their  great  ability  in  that  line.  Although  it  is 
charged  with  possessing  an  offensive  odor,  and  has  been  called 
"Stinking  Crow,"  I  never  found  anything  particularly  objection- 
able about  it,  not  more  so  than  is  noticeable  among  members  of 
the  genus  Corvtts,  Garrulus,  etc.  This  species  appears  to  great 
advantage  when  flying,  its  long  tail  and  the  white  spots  on  wing 
and  tail  feathers  contrasting  very  agreeably  with  the  generally 
dark  plumage. 

FAM.   MEROPID.E. 

88.  Merops  albicollis. 

Merops  albicolls.  Vieill,  Nouv.  Diet,  d'  Hist.  Nat.,  Vol. 
XIV,  p.  15  (1817). 

$    Berbera.      Iris  scarlet. 

This  species  was  not  common,  indeed  but  few  individuals  were 
observed  by  us. 

89.  Melittophagus  cyanostictus. 

Merops  cyanostictus.  Oust,  Bibl.  Haut.  Etudes,  Vol.  XXXI, 
Art.  10,  p.  4  (1886). 

Melittophagus  cyanostictus.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XVII,  p.  48,  pi.  i,  fig.  3  (1892). 

$    Hullier.     Iris  red. 

o?  Hullier. 

$    Hersi  Barri,  Ogaden. 

This  pretty  little  bee-eater  was  frequently  seen  as  far  south  as 
the  expedition  reached.  Though  sometimes  it  was  observed  in 
flocks,  yet  it  seemed  mostly  to  go  singly  or  in  pairs.  Very  swift 
upon  the  wing  it  was  most  expert  in  catching  flying  insects, 
often  returning  with  its  prey  to  the  twig  it  had  just  left. 

90.  Melittophagus  revoilii. 

Merops  (melittophagus)  revoilii,  Oust,  in  Revoil's  Faun,  et 
Flor.  Comalis,  Ois.,  p.  5.  pi.  i  (1886).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVII,  p.  54  (1892). 

$  $    Hullier. 
9    Haud. 

Not  common,  and  not  met  with  before  reaching  the  plateau 
south  of  the  Golis  range. 


56  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

FAM. 


gi.     Colius  macrurus. 

Lanius  macrurus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  Vol.    I,  p.  134  (1766). 
Colius  macrurus.   Sharpe,  Cat.    B.  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.   XVII,  p.  345 
(1892). 

$  Hullier,  Iris  crimson.  Feet,  face  and  base  of  bill  carmine. 
This  attractive  little  bird  was  frequently  seen  flying  in  flocks, 
pursuing  rapidly  a  straight  course,  and  easily  recognizable  by 
the  long  tails  streaming  behind  like  slender  lengthened  straws. 
They  usually  alighted  on  the  very  tops  of  trees  and  were  almost 
completely  hidden  in  the  foliage.  They  were  generally  quiet 
when  on  the  branches  which  made  it  additionally  difficult  to  see 
them  amid  the  leaves.  Also  they  were  rather  shy  and  did  not 
often  permit  a  near  approach. 

FAM.   CAPRIMULGID^;. 
g2.     Caprimulgus  donaldsoni. 

Caprimulgus  donaldsoni.  Sharpe,  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  iv.  p.  xxix 
(1895).  Id.,  Proc.,  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  503  (1895). 

9    Haud. 

This  species  seemed  to  be  rare  in  the  country  traversed,  as  it 
was  only  met  with  two  or  three  times.  It  was  flushed  from  a 
thicket  of  thorn  bushes  (and  only  those  who  have  tried  to  pene- 
trate such  places  know  how  thick  they  are),  where  it  was  pass- 
ing the  heated  day.  On  the  occasion  when  the  specimen  brought 
back  was  secured,  two  rose  from  the  ground  but  only  one  was 
obtained.  Probably  the  one  that  escaped  was  a  male. 

g3.     Caprimulgus  nubicus. 

Caprimulgus    nubicus.      Licht.    Verz.    Doubl.,    p.    59    (1823). 
Hartert,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  XVI.  p.  556  (1892). 
9    Haud. 

o?  Haud.      Iris  black,  pupil  white. 

Not  uncommon,  and  frequently  flushed  from  the  grass,  or  amid 
clumps  of  bushes.  On  such  occasions  the  bird  would  only  fly  a 
short  distance  and  alight,  sometimes  on  the  bare  open  ground. 

ORDER  STRIGES. 

FAM.  BUBONID.E. 
94.     Scops  capensis. 

Scops  capensis.  Smith,  S.  Afr.  Quart.  Journ.,  2d  Ser.  ,  No.  4, 
pi.  i,  p.  314.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  II,  p.  52  (1875). 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  57 

$    Daboije.      Iris  golden  yellow.      Feet  gray. 

9    Daboije.      Iris  golden  yellow.      Feet  gray. 

We  only  met  with  this  species  once  at  our  second  camp  on  the 
return  journey  north  of  Silo  Plain.  The  pair  flew  into  a  tree 
near  where  the  tents  were  being  pitched,  and  were  secured  by 
Mr.  Dodson. 

ORDER  ACCIPITRES. 
FAM.   FALCONID^:. 

95.  Astur   sphenurus. 

Falco  sphenurus.  Riipp.  Neue.  Wirb.,  p.  42  (1835).  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  I,  p.  112  (1874). 

$  juv.    Hullier.   Eyelids,  cere,  iris,  and  legs  yellow. 
A  young  male  of  this  small  hawk,  the  only  one  procured. 

96.  Melierax  poliopterus. 

Melierax  poliopterus.  Cab.,  in  Decken's  Reis.,  Vol.  Ill,  Vog., 
p.  40  (1869).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  I,  p.  88  (1871). 

$    Laferug.     Cere  yellow.     Iris  reddish  brown.     Legs  orange. 

We  saw  this  bird  only  occasionally.  It  was  the  single  species 
among  rapacious  bird,  that  I  had  ever  heard  singing.  Its  voice 
is  musical,  and  the  specimen  obtained  was  perched  on  a  branch 
near  the  path  we  were  traveling  and  attracted  my  attention  by 
the  low  song  it  was,  I  might  almost  say,  warbling.  It  was  a 
curious  accomplishment  for  a  hawk  to  possess,  and  seemed  out 
of  place,  considering  the  character  of  the  race  to  which  the  per- 
former belonged. 

97.  Aquila  rapax. 

Falco  rapax.  Temm.,  Plan.  Col.,  Vol.  I,  pi.  455  (1828). 

Aquila  rapax.   Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  I,  p.  242(1874). 

Id.,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  507(1895). 

9    Deregodleh.    Iris  gray.      Cere  and  feet  yellow. 

This  fine  eagle  was  very  common,  and  quite  tame,  coming 
about  the  camp,  often  alighting  close  to  the  zareba  and  feeding 
upon  any  scraps  of  meat  thrown  away.  It  did  not  seem  to  be  at 
all  particular  about  the  quality  or  state  of  its  food,  and  would 
often  drive  the  vultures  away  from  a  mess  which  it  would  be  ex- 
treme courtesy  to  call  anything  else  save  carrion.  It  must  be 
regarded  in  the  light  of  a  useful  scavenger,  and  I  doubt  if  it  ever 
attempts  to  kill  anything  itself. 


58  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

98.  Helotarsus  ecaudatus. 

Falco  ecaudatus.    Daud,  Traite",  Vol.  II,  p.  54  (1800). 

Helotarsus  ecaudatus.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus. ,  Vol.  I,  p. 
300  (1874).  Id.,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  508  (1895). 

$    Haili.    Cere  yellow.      Bill  and  legs  rich  orange. 

This  splendid  eagle  was  often  seen  flying  high  in  air, 
scrutinizing  the  ground  below.  It  presents  a  singular,  though 
beautiful  appearance  on  the  wing,  the  extremely  short  tail  and 
long  primaries  giving  it  the  shape  not  unlike  that  of  a  large  bat. 
The  underside  of  the  wings  being  white,  they  seem  almost  trans- 
parent, as  the  sun  shines  upon  them,  and  they  afford  a  strong 
contrast  to  the  black  body.  When  in  the  air,  the  bird  sails  or 
soars,  the  wings  being  flapped  rarely,  but  held  motionless, 
stretched  out  to  their  fullest  extent.  It  is  altogether  the  finest 
eagle  in  Somali-land.  North  of  the  Golis  range  it  is  not  often 
seen.  The  specimen  obtained  was  shot  with  a  rifle  by  Mr. 
Akeley. 

99.  Poliohierax  semitorquatus. 

Falco    semitorquatus.      Smith,    Rep.   Exp.    Centr.  Afr. ,   p.   44 
(1836). 

Poliohierax  semitorquatus.    Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  Vol.  I, 
p.  370  (1874).      Id.,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  510  (1895). 
$    Adadleh. 
$    Silo  Plain. 

9  Adadleh.  Iris  brown.  Cere,  eyelids  and  legs,  vermilion. 
9  9  Hullier.  Iris  brown.  Cere,  eyelids  and  legs,  salmon  color. 
9  9  Higlileh,  Ogaden. 

The  most  beautiful  little  hawk  in  the  country,  and  one  not  at 
all  uncommon,  though  the  females  appeared  to  far  outnumber 
the  males. 

100.  Cerchneis  fieldi,  sp.  nov. 

$    Silo  Plain. 

9    Toyo  Plain. 

This  apparently  very  distinct  species  of  Kestrel  was  seen  at 
various  times  and  places,  mostly  in  the  open  country,  seeming  to 
prefer  such  localities  as  the  plains,  where  the  two  examples 
brought  with  me  were  procured.  It  is  nearest  to  C.  rupicoloides, 
Smith,  from  South  Africa,  but  differs  in  being  much  lighter  in 
color  generally,  the  dark  bands  on  the  upper  surface  much  nar- 
rower, and  has  seven  bars  on  the.  tail  instead  of  six.  At  first 


FEK.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLKCTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  59 

• 

sight  this  bird  seemed  to  answer  the  description  of  Tinnunculus 
arthuri,  Gurney,  the  unique  type  of  which  is  in  the  Norwich 
Museum,  but  on  sending  the  specimens  to  J.  H.  Gurney  to  have 
them  compared  with  the  types,  he  replied  that  they  were  "  larger 
than  T.  arthuri,  a  good  deal  more  rufous  on  the  breast  and  belly, 
and  had  not  the  conspicuously  barred  sides  and  flanks,  which  are 
the  chief  characteristics  of  the  bird  in  the  Norwich  Museum." 
The  species  may  be  described  as  follows: 

Male.  Upper  parts  light  rufous,  the  head  and  nape  streaked 
with  narrow  black  lines;  back  and  wings  barred  narrowly  with 
black.  Rump  barred  like  the  back,  and  upper  tail  coverts  ash- 
gray,  barred  with  black  and  tipped,  with  light  rufous.  Primaries 
black  edged  with  light  buff.  Under-wing  coverts  buff  with  a  few 
short  narrow  black  lines.  Throat  buffy  white;  rest  of  under  parts 
light  rufous  or  rich  buff,  darkest  on  breast,  narrowly  streaked  with 
black  on  breast,  abdomen,'  flanks  and  thighs.  Crissum  and  under 
tail  coverts  pale  buff,  immaculate.  Tail  ash-gray  with  seven  bars 
of  black,  the  subterminal  on  all  but  the  outermost  being  in  width 
nearly  one-fifth  the  length  of  the  feathers  and  tipped  narrowly  on 
the  central  pair  with  rufous,  broadly  on  the  others  with  buffy 
white.  The  outermost  feather  is  buffy  white  barred  with  black. 
The  tail  therefore  is  darkest  in  the  center,  growing  lighter  to- 
wards the  outer  feather.  Bill  pale  blue.  Legs  and  feet  yellow. 
Total  length  of  skin  12.50  inches.  Wing,  9.40.  Tail,  6.20. 
Culmen,  along  curve,  .77.  Tarsus,  1.50. 

Female.  Resembles  the  male  and  is  about  the  same  size,  but 
has  the  upper  part  of  the  flanks  narrowly  barred  with  black,  in 
this  respect  leaning  towards  the  characteristic  markings  of 
T.  arthuri. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  call  this  species  after  Marshall  Field, 
Esq. ,  whose  name  this  institution  bears,  and  who  is  its  most  liberal 
patron. 

FAM.   VULTURID^E. 

101.     Lophogyps  occipitalis. 

Vultur  occipitalis.  Burch,  Trav. ,  Vol.  II,  p.  329  (1824).  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  I,  p.  15  (1874). 

$    Mandera. 

This  fine  vulture  was  not  uncommon,  coming  about  the  camp 
in  considerable  numbers,  most  of  the  individuals  however,  were 
birds  in  immature  plumage,  those  with  white  heads,  thighs  and 


60  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

lower  parts  being  comparatively  few.  On  the  wing  it  moved  majes- 
tically and  a  flock  of  these  birds  soaring  high  in  air  was  a  beau- 
tiful sight. 

FAM.     GYPOGERANID^:. 
102.     Serpentarius  secretarius. 

Vultur  secretarius.      Shaw,  Cim.  Phys.  pi.  28  (1796). 

Serpentarius  secretarius.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  ,  Vol.  I,  p. 
45  (1874). 

$    Silo  Plain. 

One  specimen  seen  and  obtained  at  Silo  on  the  return  journey. 
It  was  very  wary  and  was  killed  by  Mr.  Akeley  with  a  rifle  ball  at 
a  distance  of  about  five  hundred  yards. 


FAM. 

103.  Lophotis    gindiana. 

Eupodotis  gindiana.  Oust.  Bull.  Soc.  Philom.,  p.  163  (1881). 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIII,  p.  292  (1894). 

$  $    Laferug.     Iris  yellow. 
9    Haili. 

This  small  bustard  was  frequently  met  with,  and  seemed  par- 
ticularly plentiful  in  the  country  south  of  Toyo  Plain.  It  was 
generally  found  in  pairs,  though  often  singly,  and  would  flush 
close  to  us  as  we  walked  or  rode.  Its  flight  was  very  much  like 
that  of  a  duck,  and  it  had  a  peculiar  cry  of  various  syllables,  each 
one  uttered  in  a  higher  key  than  the  last,  ending  in  a  lengthened 
one  that  was  almost  a  screech.  The  flesh  of  this  bird  is  fairly 
good,  but  all  feathered  creatures  in  the  country  save  weaver  birds, 
for  reasons  best  known  to  themselves  are  tough,  and  not  much 
of  an  addition  to  the  larder. 

104.  Lissotis  hartlaubi. 

Otis  hartlaubi.  Heugl.  Journ.  f.  Ornit.,  p.  i  (1863).  Sharpe, 
Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIII,  p.  307  (1894). 

$  Silo  Plain.  Iris  brownish  yellow,  eyelids  yellow.  Bill  and 
legs,  cream  color. 

Only  two  specimens  of  this  fine  bustard  were  seen,  and  these 
were  met  with  on  Silo  Plain  on  the  return  journey.  They  were 
very  shy  and  skulked  about  in  the  grass  with  the  head  carried 
low  down  in  the  manner  of  rails.  Mr.  Dodson  tried  several  days 
to  get  within  shooting  distance  of  the  birds,  but  ineffectually,  and  I 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS  —  ELLIOT.  61 

then  suggested  that  Mr.  Akeley  should  lie  down  some  distance 
ahead  on  the  plain,  and  Dodson  should  flush  the  birds,  which  in 
their  flight  might  go  near  enough  to  the  oue  in  ambush  for  a  shot. 
The  ruse  was  successful  and  the  specimen  obtained  was  brought 
down  at  long  range.  It  is  a  very  handsome  bird,  and  never  be- 
fore, I  believe,  procured  in  Somali  land. 

105.     Trachelotis  canicollis. 

Otis  canicollis.  Reichen.  Orn.  Centralbl.,  p.  79  (1881). 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIII,  p.  309  (1894). 

$    Shilmaleh,  near  Toyo  Plain.      Iris  brown,  legs  white. 

9    Shilmaleh,   near  Toyo  Plain. 

This,  the  third  species  of  bustard  procured,  was  obtained  at 
a  mid-day  camp  north  of  Toyo  on  our  return  to  Adadleh.  The 
pair  were  together  and  flushed  amid  some  trees  and  bushes  near 
where  we  stopped  for  lunch.  A  few  more  were  seen  in  other 
places,  but  it  seemed  to  be  a  rather  rare  species  in  the  country. 

Two  other  species  of  bustards  were  seen  by  us  but  not  obtained, 
the  Great  Bustard,  O.  tarda,  and  the  Lesser  Bustard,  probably 
T.  tetrax,  but  I  never  could  get  near  enough  to  it  to  be  sure  that 
it  was  correctly  identified. 

ORDER  LIMICOL.E. 
FAM. 


106.  /Edicnemus  affinis. 

^Edicnemus  affinis.  Riipp.  Mus.  Senck.,  Vol.  II,  p.  210(1837). 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV,  p.  17  (1896). 

9    near  Berbera. 

Occasionally  met  with  at  various  points  on  our  journey,  but 
nowhere  common. 

FAM.    CURSORIID^:. 

107.  Dromas  ardeola. 

Dromas  ardeola.  Paykull  K.  Vet.  Akad.  Handl.  Stockh. 
XXVI,  pp.  182,  188,  Tab.  8  (1805). 

Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV,  p.   28  (1896). 

$    Berbera. 

Shot  out  of  a  flock  on  the  seashore,  and  the  only  time  the 
species  was  seen. 


62  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

108.  Cursorius  somalensis. 

Cursorius  gallicus  somalensis.      Shelley,  Ibis,  p.  415  (1885). 

Cursorius  somalensis.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV, 
P-  37- 

$    Dagahbur,  Ogaden.      Iris  brown.      Legs  white. 

9    juv.    Daboyeh,  Ogaden. 

Very  rare  and  only  seen  two  or  three  times. 

The  young  bird  is  light  buff  generally,  almost  white  on  abdo- 
men and  lower  tail  coverts.  Feathers  of  top  of  head  have  termi- 
nal black  spots.  Back  and  wings  barred  with  blackish-brown. 
Throat  whitish.  Tail  buff  barred  with  brownish-black.  Slight 
superciliary  stripe,  buff. 

109.  Rhinoptilus  hartingi. 

Rhinoptilus  hartingi.      Sharpe,   Bull.  Orn.    Club,   No.    in,    p. 
xiv  (1893).      Id.  Cat.,  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV,  p.  46  (1896). 
9  9    Toyo  Plain. 

9    Silo  Plain. 
Not  uncommon  in  open  localities,  generally  going  in  pairs. 

no.     Rhinoptilus  cinctus. 

Cursorius  cinctus.  Heugl. ,  Syst.  Uebers,  p.  54  (1856).  Id., 
Orn.  N.  O.  Afr.,  Vol.  Ill,  pi.  i,  p.  792  (1873).  Sharpe,  Cat. 
B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV,  p.  46  (1896.) 

$    Haud.      Iris  brown,  eyelids  yellow.      Legs  creamy  white. 

$    Dagahbur.     Iris  brown,  eyelids  yellow.     Legs  creamy  white. 

Always  met  with  in  pairs,  usually  among  clumps  of  bushes. 
Very  difficult  to  see  when  on  the  ground,  as  the  birds  remain 
perfectly  motionless  until  you  are  almost  on  them,  when  they 
rise  and  with  an  awkward,  ungainly  flight, 'flap  along  a  short  dis- 
tance and  alight  in  a  similar  place  to  that  from  which  they  were 
disturbed.  It  was  always  a  surprise  to  me  to  flush  these  birds, 
as  the  localities  they  frequented  seemed  so  much  more  suitable 
for  a  member  of  the  Rasores  than  one  of  the  Limicolae,  and  it 
was  a  curious  sight  to  see  these  long-winged  birds  flopping  up 
from  places  many  miles  removed  from  any  water. 

FAM.   CHARADRIID^:. 
in.     Stephanibyx  coronatus. 

Charadrius    coronatus.       Bodd.    Tab.    PI.  Enl.,    p.   49  (1783). 
Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol. -XXIV,  p.  178  (1896). 
$  $    Hullier.      Legs  and  bill  coral  pink. 
9    Hullier. 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  63 

This  was  one  of  the  most  familiar  species  met  with.  It 
appeared  to  be  generally  distributed  about  the  country,  and  was 
always  drawing  attention  to  itself  by  incessantly  screaming  when 
on  the  wing.  On  the  ground,  they  usually  were  silent, 
running  a  short  distance  and  then  standing  motionless  regarding 
the  intruder  on  their  domains.  The  instant  however  they  took 
wing,  they  began  to  utter  their  shrill  cry,  and  never  ceased  their 
clatter  until  they  again  alighted.  They  were  heard  during  the 
day,  and  also  at  all  times  of  the  night,  vociferating  their  dis- 
pleasure at  anything,  whether  man  or  beast,  that  disturbed  them 
in  their  avocations. 

112.     Oxyechus  tricollaris. 

Charadrius  tricollaris.  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.,  Vol. 
XXVII,  p.  147  (1818).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV, 
p.  247  (1896). 

9  9  Las  Durban.  Iris  light  brown,  eyelids  vermilion.  Legs 
yellow  ochre. 

Only  met  with  on  the  seashore  near  Berbera. 

1^3.     Terekia  cinerea. 

Scolopax  cinerea.  Giildenst.  Nov.  Comm.  Petrop. ,  Vol.  XIX, 
p.  473,  pi.  19  (1774).  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV, 
p.  474  (1896). 

$  $  $    Berbera. 

Killed  out  of  a  flock  upon  the  beach  near  Berbera. 

114.  Limonites  minuta. 

Tringa  minuta.  Leisl  in  Bechst.  Natuurg.  Deutschl.  Nachtr. 
Vol.  I,  p.  74  (1812). 

Limonites  minuta.  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXIV, 
p.  538  (1896). 

$    Berbera. 

Obtained  on  the  beach  at  Berbera. 

115.  Pelidna  alpina. 

Tringa  alpina.      Linn.    Syst.  Nat.,  Vol.  I,  p.  249  (1766). 
Pelidna  alpina.       Sharpe,    Cat.    B.    Brit.    Mus.,   Vol.    XXIV, 
p.  602  (1896). 
$    Berbera. 
On  the  beach  at  Berbera. 


64  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

ORDER  LONGIPENNES. 
FAM.   LARID^E. 

116.  Larus  hemprichi. 

Adelarus  hemprichi.      Bruch,  Jour.  f.  Orn.,  p.  106  (1853). 
Larus  hemprichi.      Saund,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  193  (1878). 
$    Berbera. 
Common  along  the  coast. 

ORDER  COLUMBIFORMES. 
FAM.   PERISTERID.E. 

117.  Turtur  lugens. 

Columba  lugens.  Riipp.  Neue.  Wirbelth,  p.  64,  t.  22,  f.  2 
(1835-40). 

Turtur  lugens.     Salv.,  Cat.  B.    Brit.   Mus.,   Vol.  XXI,    p.  408 

(1893)- 

$    Marodijeh. 

$    Hullier. 

9    Marodijeh. 

Met  with  along  the  northern  border  of  the  Haud,  but  not 
plentiful. 

118.  Turtur  senegalensis. 

Columba  senegalensis.  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.,  Vol.  I,  p.  283,  No. 
26  (1766). 

Turtur  senegalensis.  Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXI,  p. 
448  (1893). 

$    Hullier.      Iris  gray.      Legs  carmine. 
9    Laferug. 
A  not  uncommon  species. 

119.  Turtur  roseogriseus. 

Columba  roseogriseus.    Sund.  Krit.  Om.  Levaill. ,  p.  44  (1857). 
Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXI,  p.  429  (1893). 
$    Hullier. 

Very  common,  found  everywhere  we  traveled,  sometimes  in 
very  large  flocks.  I  have  seen  these  birds  in  the  early  morning 
about  sunrise  congregate  in  great  numbers  upon  the  trees,  as  if 
holding  a  council  on  some  important  matters.  At  all  times  of 
the  day  this  species  would  be  in  sight,  and  it  was  constantly  pass- 
ing in  rapid  flight,  always  moving  in  a  straight  course,  taking  the 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  65 

most  direct  route  from  one  point  to  another.  Several  times  we 
had  these  and  other  species  of  dove  served  at  table,  but  usually 
found  them  rather  tough  and  without  flavor.  Sometimes  even 
stewing  would  not  make  them  tender. 

120.  Turtur  damarensis. 

Turtur  damarensis.  Finsch  &  Hartl,  Vog.  Ost  Afr. ,  p.  550 
(1870).  Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Birds,  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXI,  p.  426  (1893). 

o?  Le  Gud. 

Like  the  previous  species,  which  it  closely  resembles,  the  pres- 
ent one  was  always  plentiful.  When  flying,  or  even  when  on  the 
trees,  it  was  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  distinguish  the  one 
from  the  other,  and  the  species  could  be  identified  only  when  in 
the  hand.  It  goes  in  flocks,  and  individuals  are  constantly  seen 
speeding  through  the  air. 

121.  jfEna  capensis. 

Columba  capensis.  Linn.,  Syst.  Nat.,  Vol.  I,  p.  286,  No.  39 
(1766). 

^Ena  capensis.  Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXI,  p.  501 
(1893). 

9  9    Dagahbur.      Iris  brown.      Legs  purple. 

This  graceful  little  dove  was  quite  common,  and  was  always  an 
attractive  object,  hurling  itself  along  with  almost  the  speed  of  a 
bullet,  the  long  tail  adding  grace  to  the  trim  form,  as  like  a 
meteor  it  flashed  by. 

122.  Chalcopelia  afra. 

•   Columba  afra.      Linn,  Syst.  Nat.,  Vol.  I,  p.  284,  No.  31  (1766). 
Chalcopelia  afra.      Salv.,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXI,  p.  506 
(1893). 

$    Le  Gud.      Iris  brown.      Legs  and  bill  purple. 
< 

ORDER  PTEROCLETES. 
FAM.    PTEROCLID^:. 

123.  Pteroclurus  exustus. 

Pterocles  exustus.     Temm.  PI.  Col.  Vol.  V,  pis.  28,  29  (1815). 
Pteroclurus  exustus.      Ogilvie-Grant,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XXII,  p.  12  (1893). 
J1  $    Berbera. 
9    Deregodleh. 


66  FIELD  COLUMBIAN  MUSEUM — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  i. 

Seen  occasionally  in  small  flocks  coming  to  and  going  from 
water  in  the  morning  and  evenings.  Numbers  were  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  a  small  ditch  on  the  beach  at  Berbera,  which  received 
the  overflow  of  water  from  a  large  cistern,  and  specimens  could 
be  obtained  there  without  difficulty  as  they  flew  in  to  drink. 

FAM.   TETRAONID^:. 

124.  Francolinus  granti. 

Francolinus  granti.  Hartl,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.,  p.  665,  pi.  39, 
fig.  i  (1865).  Ogilvie-Grant,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXII, 
p.  148  (1893). 

$    Le  Gud. 

$    Hullier. 

Grant's  Francolin  is  a  very  noisy  bird,  and  its  chattering  note 
is  frequently  heard  throughout  the  day,  but  especially  in  the 
early  mornings  and  evenings.  It  is  a  shy  bird  and,  keeps  as 
much  as  possible  out  of  sight  of  any  one  intruding  upon  its 
retreats,  retiring  among  the  thickest  shrubbery  it  can  find,  and 
trusting  more  upon  its  legs  than  wings  as  a  means  of  escape.  It 
is  difficult  to  flush,  except  when  surprised  in  open  ground.  The 
flesh  is  not  especially  tender  or  well  flavored,  even  to  a  hunter's 
appetite,  and  we  generally  hung  the  birds  in  the  shade  for  a  day 
or  so  before  cooking.  It  appeared  to  be  a  plentiful  species, 
especially  as  we  penetrated  into  the  country,  though  at  no  time 
did  we  meet  any  large  flock,  six  or  eight  individuals  being  about 
the  maximum  number. 

125.  Pternistes  infuscatus. 

Pternistes  infuscatus.  Cat.  Jour.  f.  Orn.,  p.  413(1868).  Ogilvie- 
Grant,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.,  Vol.  XXII,  p.  182  (1893). 

$  Haili.  Bare  skin  of  face  and  throat  Indian  red,  abruptly 
changing  to  yellow  on  neck.  Iris  brown. 

$    Le  Gud. 

9    Le  Gud. 

We  met  with  this  species  about  everywhere  we  traveled.  It 
was  tame  and  unsuspicious,  and  would  feed  about  camp,  and  did 
not  seem  to  mind  remaining  in  the  open  away  from  any  thick 
cover.  It,  like  the  preceding,  is  a  noisy  species,  and  its  loud 
notes  were  constantly  heard.  When  flushed  it  would  rise  with 
the  whir,  characteristic  of  gallinaceous  birds,  and  go  away  in  a 
straight  course,  and  its  large  size  and  steady  flight  made  it  an 


FEB.  1897.          EAST  AFRICAN  COLLECTION  OF  BIRDS — ELLIOT.  67 

easy  mark.  The  coloring  of  the  bare  skin  on  face  and  throat, 
extending  even  upon  the  upper  neck,  in  life  is  very  bright  and 
beautiful.  In  the  dry  skin  this  disappears  into  a  uniform  dull 
yellow,  and  gives  no  idea  of  the  gradation  of  the  beautiful  red  of 
the  upper  portion  into  the  clear  lemon-yellow  of  the  lower. 
When  walking  this  bird  carries  its  tail  rather  low,  and  has  an 
arched  back,  making  an  outline  similar  to  that  of  a  guinea  fowl. 
We  did  not  find  the  flesh  of  this  species  any  better  than  that  of 
other  birds  we  tried,  in  fact,  in  the  majority  of  cases  it  was  most 
decidedly  tough  and  flavorless.  It  is  a  handsome  creature 
though,  and  I  always  took  much  pleasure  in  watching  the  birds 
as  they  wandered  about  the  camp.  We  shot  but  few,  for  it 
would  have  been  wasteful  slaughter  to  kill  them,  as  we  did  not 
care  much  for  them  as  an  article  of  food,  and  had  not  the  facili- 
ties for  carrying  away  skins  for  specimens. 


